DE102007029645B4 - Bottle cap with sealing sleeve - Google Patents

Abstract

A closure for closing a bottle, comprising:
- a closure lid (01);
- means (04, 08, 09) for attaching the closure to a neck (12) of the bottle; and
- A sealing sleeve (03) for insertion into the neck (12) of the bottle in an insertion direction (14) and for sealing the closure against the interior of the bottle;
wherein the sealing sleeve (03) is deformed by a force exerted on it in the insertion direction (14) so that at least one axial section (07) of its outer circumference is urged peripherally outwardly against the neck (12) of the bottle, characterized in that axial section (07) is formed by a material weakening on the inside of the sealing sleeve (03).

Description

The The invention relates to a closure for tightly closing a Bottle according to the generic term of claim 1, wherein a high tightness is made possible by a sealing sleeve. in the Furthermore, the invention relates to a bottle with such Closure is closed.

From the DE 80 24 272 U1 is a closure made of plastic for bottles known which has a bottle neck the form-fitting embracing cap. The cap has an inner circumferential bead which snaps into a corresponding peripheral groove on the neck of the bottle when the closure is pressed onto the bottle. At the same time a hollow stopper is inserted into the opening of the bottle. The dispensing of the contents of the bottle takes place through the hollow stopper via a pivotable outlet. A disadvantage of this solution is the low contact pressure with which the closure is pressed via the latching connection to the bottleneck. Consequently, between the end edge of the closure and the corresponding receiving edge on the neck of the bottle, a gap can be formed, which reduces the overall appearance of the bottle and in which during use of the bottle z. B. can settle dirt. Furthermore, as a result of material fatigue, the closure may no longer be firmly seated on the bottle neck, which may in particular also result in leakage between the hollow stopper and the interior of the bottle neck.

From the DE 43 29 808 C2 is a self-closing closure for a container or a tube is known, which has an outer closure cap in addition to an intermediate bottom part. The cap has an inner edge bead, with which the cap is snapped onto the intermediate bottom part. This locking connection allows only a limited force with which the cap is pressed against the neck of the bottle.

From the DE 27 09 665 C2 a bottle closure is known which has a screw cap with a threaded cylinder therein. The threaded cylinder engages in a corresponding thread on the neck of the bottle so that the closure can be screwed onto the neck of the bottle. While the cap is being screwed on, a conical plug is inserted into the bottle mouth. A disadvantage of this solution is the high cost of attaching the closure to the bottle during manufacture by screwing the closure.

The DE 87 08 695 U1 shows a bottle with a bottle neck and a cap can be placed thereon with a discharge closure. The cap is fastened to the bottle with snap closures in the form of cooperating detent projections. During fitting of the cap, a sealing cone is inserted into the neck of the bottle. Also, this solution allows only a limited force with which the cap is pressed onto the neck of the bottle. Even small manufacturing tolerances cause between the end edge of the cap and the corresponding seat edge on the bottle neck, a gap or the latching projections can not fully engage. At the same time thereby the tightness of the sealing cone in the bottleneck is impaired.

The DE 10 2004 025 466 A1 relates to a cap for screwing and / or pressing on a pour spout of a container. The cap has a fixed in the bottom of the cap annular coaxial sealing lip 6 on, which extends with attached cap in the nozzle. The sealing lip is arched and / or kinked, so that it bulges in a compression in the axial direction to the outside. Characterized the outer side of the sealing lip is pressed against the inner wall of the nozzle, resulting in a sealing closure of the container. The sealing lip is connected at an attachment point to the ground. The attachment point may have a material weakening, thereby enabling a joint function.

The object of the invention is based on the DE 10 2004 025 466 A1 It is to provide a bottle closure with a permanently assured, improved tightness and a bottle with such a closure. The increased tightness should require neither an increased effort in the production of the closure nor a cumbersome handling when opening and closing the bottle. A sub-task is also to ensure despite gas-tightness of the closure overpressure safety, by which any occurring excessive pressure inside the bottle can be selectively reduced.

These The object is achieved by a closure according to the appended claim 1 and solved by a bottle with the features of claim 9.

The closure according to the invention for closing a bottle initially has a closure lid with which the opening can be covered on a neck of the bottle. The closure cap may be in the form of a disc, a cone or any other shape. The closure lid can also be designed in such a way that it forms a unit with other components of the closure. Furthermore, the closure has a means for attaching the seal to the neck of the bottle. This agent can by a screw thread, by Rastelemen te, by a bracket, by a deformable element or by other means, which allows the attachment of the closure at the neck of the bottle, be formed. Finally, the closure according to the invention has a sealing sleeve, which is inserted during the closing of the bottle in the neck of the bottle in an insertion direction, where it allows a seal of the closure relative to the interior of the bottle. According to the invention, the sealing sleeve in material and wall thickness is formed so that at least an axial portion of the outer periphery of the sealing sleeve is circumferentially urged outward by a force directed in the insertion direction on the sealing sleeve. The deformation of the sealing sleeve takes place either plastically or elastically, but preferably with an elastic component. Such a force occurs in particular when the closure is inserted with its sealing sleeve in the neck of the bottle and while the open end of the sealing sleeve is pressed against a corresponding stop in the neck of the bottle. The section of the outer circumference of the sealing sleeve, which is thereby forced outwards, is urged circumferentially onto the inside of the neck of the bottle, whereby the closure is sealed off from the interior of the bottle.

Of the axial section of the sealing sleeve is due to a material weakening on the inside of the sealing sleeve educated. As a result, a one-piece design of the sealing sleeve is made possible. Alternatively, the sealing sleeve several pieces be executed by, for example, an axial section made of a different material in the sealing sleeve is introduced.

The material weakening in the axial section of the sealing sleeve, for example be achieved that the material of the sealing sleeve in this section thinner than is executed in the other sections of the sealing sleeve. This is preferred achieved in that the inner surface of the axial section as an outward directed hollow curvature accomplished is. This hollow arching leads that upon the action of a force directed in the insertion direction the axial portion of the sealing sleeve deformed such that a outward directed vaulting is trained. This vault acts like a sealing ring on the sealing sleeve.

One particular advantage of the closure according to the invention is that through an easy to implement solution increased tightness between the closure and the interior of the bottle is achieved without therefor increased personnel to attach the cap to the neck of the bottle to have to. The solution according to the invention can independently the means for attaching the closure to the neck of the bottle be used. This is particularly advantageous for closures, by simply plugging and snapping on the neck of the bottle be attached, since already at the moment of Aufsteckens the increased tightness is achieved without this noticeable increased Muster forces to have to. Furthermore, it is advantageous that for the insertion of the sealing sleeve in the Neck of the bottle no raised Accuracy is required, which is especially true for machine mass production is important. Separate sealing rings or the like will be not required, which reduces the assembly effort.

at a preferred embodiment the closure according to the invention will the elasticity of the sealing sleeve by an elastically executed axial Section of the sealing sleeve achieved. Acts one in the insertion direction directed force on the sealing sleeve, so this is axial Section circulating outwards crowded. The advantage of this embodiment is that the elastic deformation of the sealing sleeve very can be exactly predetermined. For example, the sealing sleeve over the biggest part their axial length executed inelastic be while only a small axial section is elastically deformable. Consequently can the position in the neck of the bottle, on which the sealing sleeve against the interior of the neck of the bottle is crowded, very accurately predetermined become. Furthermore, the deformation of the axial portion is very accurately determinable, allowing an arbitrary deformation of larger sections avoided the sealing sleeve can be.

at a particular embodiment the closure according to the invention Furthermore, a sealing ring is arranged on the outside of the sealing sleeve. Is due to a in the insertion direction directed force the sealing sleeve peripherally outward urged in particular, the sealing ring between the inside of the neck the bottle and the sealing sleeve clamped, whereby a high sealing effect is achieved. alternative can the effect of the sealing ring by a changed surface property the sealing sleeve be achieved.

In a further embodiment of the closure according to the invention, a peripheral edge of the sealing sleeve directed in the insertion direction is designed as a sealing lip. When inserting the sealing sleeve in the neck of the bottle, the sealing sleeve with its sealing lip on a stop in the neck of the bottle, wherein the sealing lip is permanently pressed after closing the bottle against the stop in the neck of the bottle. This contact pressure is ensured, in particular, by the elasticity of the sealing sleeve and the spring effect of the spring washer used for fastening the closure. The pressed onto the circumferential stop in the neck of the bottle sealing lip causes a further sealing of the sealing sleeve relative to the inside of the bottle. The sealing lip can be formed for example by a peripheral edge with increased elasticity. Alternatively, the sealing lip may be formed by a particularly flat, largely rigid edge of the sealing sleeve.

at a preferred embodiment the closure according to the invention has the cap or its attachment to the bottle an elasticity opposite to the direction of insertion, but less than the elasticity of the sealing sleeve in the insertion accomplished is. With this embodiment a security feature can be realized. Is it inside? the bottle to an elevated Pressure, for example, a carbonated beverage acts the increased pressure on the inside of the cap, whereupon it is because of its elasticity outward buckles and / or due to the resilience of the spring washer against the insertion direction of the lock slightly is relocated. this leads to turn to the fact that arranged under the closure cap sealing sleeve with a lesser force is pressed into the neck of the bottle. The Deformation of the sealing sleeve forms back, so that the sealing of the sealing sleeve against the neck of the bottle decreases. Consequently may be the increased pressure inside the bottle, causing an explosion of the bottle is prevented.

The inventive solution suitable for both closures, where the output of the in-bottle medium only by a removal of the closure is possible, as well as for closures, at those in the cap a discharge opening for optional output of the medium in the bottle is present. This can be, for example Bottles for cosmetic products but also bottles for drinks.

Of the closure according to the invention is preferred to produce by an injection molding process, wherein the entire closure is made in a single step. As material for the closure according to the invention come u. a. many types of plastics, such as PE, PET, PVC, PA or PC.

According to the inventive solution has a to be closed Bottle an edge in her neck, on one in the insertion direction directed edge of the sealing sleeve during insertion the sealing sleeve in the neck of the bottle. Is the closure completely open The neck of the bottle is at least an axial section the outer circumference the sealing sleeve circumferential and elastic to the inside of the neck of the bottle crowded. For this is the Inner cross-section of the neck of the bottle for example so to make that he is a minor larger diameter as the diameter of the sealing sleeve having.

Further Advantages, details and developments of the present invention result from the following description of preferred embodiments, with reference to the drawing. Show it:

1 a preferred embodiment of the closure according to the invention in a sectional view;

2 : the in 1 shown closure in an injection condition;

3 : the in 1 shown closure when plugging on a bottle in a first step;

4 : the Aufsteckvorgang in a later step;

5 : the cap after it has been fully seated on the bottle; and

6 : An embodiment of the closure according to the invention with a hinged lid.

1 shows a preferred embodiment of the closure according to the invention in a partially sectioned view in a Aufsetzzustand. The closure has a disk-shaped closure lid 01 on, in the center of a discharge opening 02 may be arranged, which is indicated by a small through opening. The dispensing opening 02 may be formed by a closable opening, a closable neck or the like. The closure according to the invention is suitable for all types of dispensing openings or even for versions of closures without dispensing opening. At the bottom of the cap 01 is concentric a sealing sleeve 03 arranged. The sealing sleeve 03 has largely the shape of a thin-walled hollow cylinder. The sealing sleeve 03 is with its upper end face on the closure lid 01 attached. The lower end face of the hollow cylinder of the sealing sleeve 03 is open and gets in the neck when putting the cap on a bottle 12 introduced to the bottle.

At the bottom of the cap 01 is a slip-on sleeve 04 arranged, which the sealing sleeve 03 Coaxially surrounds. The slip-on sleeve 04 has essentially the shape of a thin-walled hollow cylinder. The slip-on sleeve 04 is with its upper end face on the closure lid 01 attached. The closure also has a grip sleeve 06 on. The grip sleeve 06 also has the shape of a thin one walled hollow cylinder and forms together with the cap 01 the outer shape of the closure. The grip sleeve 06 serves to grip the closure by the user and is designed so that the closure is adapted to the shape of the bottle. The sealing sleeve 03 , the slip-on sleeve 04 and the grip sleeve 06 are arranged coaxially.

The shape of the sealing sleeve 03 differs from that of a hollow cylinder only in that the sealing sleeve 03 in a central axial section on the inside of a material weakening in the form of an outwardly directed hollow curvature 07 having. The outer surface of the sealing sleeve 03 is like a hollow cylinder.

The slip-on sleeve 04 serves to attach the closure to the neck 12 the bottle. The slip-on sleeve 04 has in a lower axial portion on the inside of several circumferential locking edges 08 on, a corrugation of the inside of the slip-on 04 form. At the open end face of the slip-on sleeve 04 is a spring washer 09 arranged. The shape of the spring washer 09 is similar to a circular ring, which was slipped concentrically in the direction of its axis by about 45 °. Thus, the shape of the spring washer 09 comparable with a truncated cone jacket. The spring washer 09 initially has the function of a cone-shaped insertion, in the state shown in the direction of the sealing sleeve 03 is aligned.

2 shows the in 1 shown closure in an injection condition, ie in a state immediately after the closure has been removed from an injection mold. The closure differs in the spray condition of the in 1 shown state only in that the spring washer 09 with its cone shape against the sealing sleeve 03 is aligned. The spring washer 09 has an internal stress, in which it can assume two stable states, the two in 1 and 2 States shown corre sponding. To the closure of the spray condition ( 2 ) in the Aufsetzzustand ( 1 ), the spring washer is folded from the first stable state to the second stable state. The spring washer 09 is about a breaking point 11 on the slip-on sleeve 04 attached. The breaking point 11 is formed by the fact that the material at the transition from the spring washer 09 to the slip-on sleeve 04 is very thin. The breaking point 11 can also be perforated or formed by only a few connecting webs.

3 shows the in 1 shown closure during a Aufsteckvorganges on a neck 12 the bottle in a first step. During this first step, the shutter with its spring washer 09 on the face of the neck 12 put on the bottle. During this step, the spring washer acts 09 as an introduction aid. Due to the conical shape of the spring washer 09 the closure and the neck are directed 12 the bottle coaxial with each other. This is particularly advantageous in machine capping bottles, if the bottles are to be closed at a very high speed, since in this case no high accuracy of the leadership of the closure can be ensured by the machine.

4 shows the Aufsteckvorgang in a state after the closure another piece in the insertion direction 14 was moved. The breaking point 11 is now cracked after the spring washer 09 did not continue to put on the bottle. The spring washer 09 is now isolated from the rest of the closure. Before that is the spring washer 09 completely over the snap collar 13 On neck 12 slipped the bottle and is thereby under the Rastkragen 13 engaged. The sealing sleeve 03 is already almost completely inside the neck during this step 12 the bottle, so a Aufsetzkante 16 at the open end face of the sealing sleeve 03 a heel edge 17 on the inside of the neck 12 facing the bottle with a small gap. Furthermore, there is a closing edge 18 at the open end of the grip sleeve 06 a form paragraph 19 opposite to the bottle.

5 shows the Aufsteckvorgang, after this is completed. The attachment edge 16 the sealing sleeve 03 is completely on the heel 17 in the throat 12 put on the bottle. At the time of touchdown was the trailing edge 18 on the grip sleeve 06 not yet on the form paragraph 19 attached to the bottle so that the closure is another small piece in the insertion direction 14 could be moved. This resulted in an elastic deformation of the hollow curvature 07 executed axial portion of the sealing sleeve 03 , Due to the hollow curvature 07 is the sealing sleeve 03 in this axial section circumferentially outwardly to the inner surface of the neck 12 pushed the bottle. This is due to the contact surface between the sealing sleeve 03 and the inner surface of the neck 12 the bottle a seal 21 formed, which is the inside of the bottle opposite the sealing sleeve 03 and the closure lid 01 seals. The seal 21 arises solely through the attachment of the closure in the insertion direction 14 and is independent of how the closure on the neck 12 the bottle is attached. If the closure from the neck 12 removed from the bottle, so the seal builds 21 again, since the sealing sleeve 03 elastically deformed back to its original shape. Thus, by the seal 21 a removal of the closure from the bottle is not hindered.

The attachment edge 16 the sealing sleeve 03 and the heel edge 17 in the throat 12 the bottle are each made flat, so that there is also a sealing effect in their contact surface. Alternatively, the Aufsetzkante 16 be provided with a sealing lip to increase this sealing effect. Another alternative is in the landing edge 16 for example, to provide incisions, so that a sealing effect between the contact edge 16 the sealing sleeve 03 and the heel edge 17 in the throat 12 the bottle is deliberately not achieved.

The cap 01 can be elastic. If there is an overpressure in the interior of the bottle, for example in the case of a carbonated beverage, the closure lid bulges 01 outward. This reduces the on the sealing sleeve 03 acting axial force, so that the sealing sleeve 03 deformed back to its original shape. This simultaneously becomes the seal 21 degraded, whereupon the increased pressure inside the bottle can break down. The medium emerging from the bottle first enters the area between the slip-on sleeve 04 and the neck 12 the bottle. This prevents the emerging at a high pressure medium passes directly into the outer region of the closure and there represents a threat. This overpressure safety can be achieved even with rigid closure lids, if the attachment of the closure to the bottle is designed so that a slight lifting of the closure is made possible if the internal pressure in the bottle exceeds a predetermined limit. This in turn leads to the lifting of the seal 21 ,

6 shows a further embodiment of the closure according to the invention for closing a bottle. The embodiment shown here differs from that in the 1 to 5 shown embodiment in that they have a hinged lid 34 with which the closure can optionally be closed and opened by the user. In the state shown, the closure is opened so that the contents of the bottle can escape. To close the closure is the hinged lid 34 fold it over so that it fits into one in the cap 01 provided recess engages.

01

cap

02

discharge opening

03

sealing sleeve

04

slip-on

05

06

grip sleeve

07

concavity

08

locking edges

09

spring washer

10

11

Breaking point

12

neck the bottle

13

Rest collar

14

insertion

15

16

Aufsetzkante

17

shoulder edge

18

terminal edge

19

form shoulder

20

21

seal

34

hinged lid

Claims (10)

Closure for closing a bottle, comprising: - a closure lid ( 01 ); - a means ( 04 . 08 . 09 ) for fastening the closure to a neck ( 12 ) the bottle; and a sealing sleeve ( 03 ) for insertion in the neck ( 12 ) of the bottle in an insertion direction ( 14 ) and to seal the closure against the interior of the bottle; the sealing sleeve ( 03 ) by an insertion direction ( 14 ) force is applied to it, so that at least one axial section ( 07 ) of its outer circumference circumferentially outwards against the neck ( 12 ) of the bottle, characterized in that this axial section ( 07 ) by a material weakening on the inside of the sealing sleeve ( 03 ) is formed. Closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the axial section ( 07 ) of the sealing sleeve ( 03 ) is made elastic. Closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner surface of the axial section ( 07 ) of the sealing sleeve ( 03 ) as an outwardly directed hollow curvature ( 07 ) is executed. Closure according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a at the open end face of the sealing sleeve ( 03 ) arranged circumferential Aufsetzkante ( 16 ) is designed as a sealing lip. Closure according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the closure lid ( 01 ) an elasticity against the insertion direction ( 14 ), which is less than the elasticity of the sealing sleeve ( 03 ) in the insertion direction ( 14 ) is executed. Closure according to claim 5, characterized in that the closure lid ( 01 ) is formed by an elastic, flat disc. Closure according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the closure lid ( 01 ) a dispensing opening ( 02 ) for dispensing the medium in the bottle. Closure according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized that the closure as one piece injection molded product accomplished is. Bottle sealed with a closure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that one at the open end face of the sealing sleeve ( 03 ) arranged Aufsetzkante ( 16 ) on a heel edge ( 17 ) in a neck ( 12 ) of the bottle is attached and at least the section ( 07 ) of the outer circumference of the sealing sleeve ( 03 ) circumferentially and elastically to the inside of the neck ( 12 ) the bottle is crowded. Bottle according to claim 9, which is closed with a closure according to claim 4 or a claim relating to this, characterized in that the sealing lip is placed on the peripheral edge ( 17 ) in the throat ( 12 ) the bottle is placed sealingly.